Russian steelmakers lobby for 33% galv strip import duty

A trio of Russian steelmakers are lobbying the Russian government for an import duty on galvanised strip, sources close to the companies told MB.

Severstal, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works and Novolipetsk Steel have asked the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade for a temporary 33% duty. The request was lodged in mid-January.

The Russian government already plans to raise import tariffs on steel tube, pipe, and some rolled products to protect domestic producers from cheap imports, sources previously said.

The tariffs will be in place for nine months after they are officially introduced in the near future.

Moscow is planning to increase import tariffs on construction steel rod and a range of tube products to 15% from 5% and increase import tariffs on some high-strength steel tube to 20% from 15%.

The auto industry will receive a boost through government plans to drop a 5% import tariff on cold rolled stainless steel less than 0.35mm thick and less than 60cm wide with less than 2.5% nickel, according to separate reports.